A Website Planning Guide - a Tool for Effective Web Design
Developing an effective website consists of four phases: planning, design, implementation and testing, and lastly maintenance and marketing. The most important step is planning, yet it is often skimped or skipped. A proper web plan can minimize the risk of project failure and is the key to effective web design. This guide is a tool to use in the planning process.
Primary Purpose of the Website
This is the driving force of your project. Why do you want a website? Common purposes are:
- brand development
- prospect generation
- revenue generation
- cost savings
- customer support
Brief Description of the Web Project
This is the executive summary of your project. It outlines what you intend to do and why. Provide a brief description of your target audience, usability considerations, site requirements, technology used, how long the process will take, and how the results will be measured. The description should be no longer than one page.
Specific and Measurable Goals
Goals justify the project and must be measurable.
Example: Develop a brochure site to decrease costs of mailing promotional literature by X.
- Goal 1
- Goal 2
- Goal 3
List of the Team Assignments
This is anyone involved in the project. The vendor, the client, the project leader, etc.
Title:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Responsibilities:
Ancillary Personnel as Needed
This is were anyone involved with the project in a ancillary role is listed. For example, data entry people, tech help, etc.
Area Assigned |
Team Member |
Time Frame |
Required Resources
Include everything that is needed to bring the project to completion. Content, images, url, web host, software, etc.
Item |
Person Responsible |
Date Needed |
Exists? |
Potential Problems and Solutions
Even with the best plans, problems are bound to happen. Foresight is better than hindsight.
Financial
- Problem:
- Prevention:
- Reaction:
Planning
- Problem:
- Prevention:
- Reaction:
Communications
- Problem:
- Prevention:
- Reaction:
Personnel Management
- Problem:
- Prevention:
- Reaction:
Technology
- Problem:
- Prevention:
- Reaction:
Proposed Budget
Include all associated costs. Some items to consider are: url registration, staff salaries, hardware, software, graphics, and site marketing.
Itemized Expenses
Total Expenses
Total Budget
Specific Steps to Bring This Project to a Successful Completion
Date Planned |
Date Completed |
Step |
Responsible |
Site Plan
An organization chart that provides a visual picture of the pages in the site and how they link
Style Guide
The style guide dictates the standard rules for design. It ensures a consistent look and structure to the website. Items addressed is this document are graphic themes, editorial conventions, coding style, and typography.
This tool was created by Rita Trelewicz for the August 24, 2004 HALPC Web Design SIG Meeting.